Encourage Reading for Education and Enjoyment
A hundred years ago, books were treasured. Television had not even been thought of, and most people were considered lucky if they were wealthy enough to own a book and have the leisure time to read them!
In the modern day, books are inexpensive and leisure is plentiful - but for some reason reading has gone out of style. Television, computers and video games have caused the children of today to relegate reading to the classroom, as an unpleasant chore to be endured rather than enjoyed.
What a shame! Children who learn to love books from an early age are often captivated for life - but others who reach middle school without sufficient exposure are much less likely to come to enjoy reading. This has led to a sad decline in reading as a hobby and a valuable learning tool it has always been.
Encourage your children from the time they are big enough to sit up in your lap to love books and enjoy being read to. There are so many children's authors who have created colorful intriguing worlds for your child to explore. Reading stimulates the imagination in ways that television never will.
Read to your child daily! They will come to have favorites that they never tire of hearing, and will begin to memorize words and phrases. Once they begin to read on their own, let them read to you often, and encourage siblings to read to each other.
Don't let your child limit themselves to books on the school's reading list. Take them to the library often, and find books about topics that they are passionate about. This will add to their education, and encourage them to expand their knowledge!
As your child grows older, ask them to provide you with a short report or synopsis of books they read. This will help them organize their thoughts, comprehend what they have read and be able to share the information they have gained. Being able to communicate what they have learned is an important skill that will aid them in many areas of their lives!
Restrict television and video time, and promote reading and writing instead. Once your child learns that a good book can be just as captivating as a cartoon, they will keep their love of reading for life! If your child loves to read, she / he will never have the excuse to say "I'm bored!"
Books can go almost anywhere: In the car, to the beach, and on a camping trip. They are a doorway to another world, and a child's imagination knows no bounds. Reading stretches the mind and allows the brain to be more receptive, making all types of learning easier.
